NextDC apologises to West Footscray over M3 power poles

The apology follows a dispute over power. Jemena, the network operator, put on hold its plan for 15-metre industrial power poles along streets near the site in September, after residents objected and blocked construction vehicles, the outlet reported. Brisbane Times says NextDC then announced a major delay to the M3 expansion in October.

The numbers

Brisbane Times reports that Scroggie did not back away from the plan to double M3 to cover about 10 hectares.

The outlet says the October delay cost NextDC hundreds of millions of dollars in forecast earnings and was followed by a 40 per cent drop in its share price. Both are the outlet’s figures.

Scroggie said the poles are about twice as high as typical power poles. He acknowledged that Jemena had found there had not been enough community consultation about them.

He also said NextDC’s contracted power partner, which he described as a statutory monopoly provider, had been unable to deliver. He said responsibility rested with him in the end.

On the site itself, Scroggie argued the estate is zoned industrial and has been for more than a century. In his words: “We didn’t just pop M3 in the middle of a residential area.” Brisbane Times reports he also noted the precinct had previously hosted petrochemical facilities and asbestos factories, and that he said no data centres had been built in residential areas in Australia.

What’s next

Scroggie said NextDC would provide an update once a power solution had been finalised and contracted. He said the company would not do that before the community and the council were clear that they had been made a priority, as reported by Brisbane Times.

He argued the power upgrades would benefit other businesses in the area and that data centres are vital for Australia’s future.

Brisbane Times reports the state government is yet to approve the planned M3 expansion, which began operating in 2022, and that no decision is expected until after the state election on 28 November. For builders and contractors in Melbourne’s west, that puts any expansion works after that date. The article does not say what power solution NextDC is pursuing or when Jemena’s paused works might resume.

NextDC’s earlier data centre coverage on this site is at NextDC at Horsley Park.